Dr John Babraj

Contact info

Biography

I am a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology. My research interests focus on health and performance adaptations to high intensity training or omega 3 intake. This research on high intensity training focusses on determining the minimum frequency of exercise required to promote meaningful adaptations in the body for health and performance. My research on omega 3 intake focusses on its use to promote recovery from exercise and its importance in the regulation of tendon and ligament function. I also have a keen interest in physiological adaptations for combat sports.

I am chief scientific adviser to Edinburgh Biotec Ltd and work with Dundee FC, Dundee United FC, Dundee Stars and Wakeboarding to provide scientific support around training and nutrition. I also work within combat sports on an individual basis to provide training and nutrition support.

Before joining Abertay in 2010, I was a Lecturer in Exercise Metabolism at Heriot Watt University. I carried out my doctoral research at Dundee University. This work focused on the response of the extracellular matrix proteins within skeletal muscle, tendon, ligament and bone to both exercise and nutritional stimuli.

My major area of research is in the development of novel paradigms to promote cardio-metabolic health and improve sports performance. This focuses on 3 different paradigms - high intensity training, whole body vibration and omega 3 supplementation.

High Intensity Training

High intensity training involves supramaximal bouts of exercise that last for no more than 30 seconds. This makes it an exceptionally time efficient training paradigm with sessions lasting no more than 15 minutes (of which only 1-3 minutes is exercise). My research in this area focuses on both the health and performance improvements that can be gained by using this type of training and working towards discovering what the minimum amount of exercise that is needed to promote health improvements. Most people fail to meet government advice on physical activity levels and as such we are seeing a rapid increase in lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. My research also explores the underlying mechanisms by which high intensity training elicites these health and performance effects.

Whole Body Vibration

Whole body vibration training is a novel resistance like training paradigm which efficiently recruits muscle fibres whilst the person is standing on the vibration plate. As such the physical demands placed on the body are greatly reduced with type of training. My research in this area focuses on whether whole body vibration can deliver similar health benefits as more traditional exercise paradigms. With the lower perception of effort this type of training can have a major effect on how people age and offers a training paradigm that could be used with frail adults.

Omega 3 for performance and health

Westernised diets are extremely low in omega 3 fatty acids and high in omega 6 fatty acids which has health consequences due to the pro-inflammatory effects of omega 6 fatty acids. Supplementation with omega 3 results in increased incorporation of these fats into cellular membranes that results in improved cellular function. Unaccustomed exercise produces muscle damage due to inflammation during the recovery process. My research focuses on the role of high EPA on improvements in health and exercise recovery.